BrainMap

Mrs. Costina-Ruxandra Poetar

Assistant professor, Ph.D.

Assistant professor - UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI

Researcher | Teaching staff | Scientific reviewer

Expertise & keywords

Mechanisms of childhood bullying victimization: profiles and tailored approach to online intervention Call name: P 4 - Proiecte de Cercetare Exploratorie, 2020
PN-III-P4-ID-PCE-2020-2417 2021 - 2023

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://sanatatemintalacopii.ro/proiecte/be-strong/

Abstract:

Bullying is a prevalent phenomenon among children and adolescents worldwide, that has a negative impact on victims’ of bullying mental health. Even though anti-bullying programs have been developed, existent research indicated that such programs have limited effectiveness.One major contributor to these results is the fact that such approaches are delivered in a universal manner, and do not take into consideration children’s unique profiles. The present project aims to contribute both to the fundamental and exploratory research, as it is the first proposal towards a personalized approach to bullying victimization, transcending the limitations of previous interventions that adopt a narrow rationale of one size fits all. Therefore, through the proposed project we aim to advance the knowledge regarding cognitive mechanisms involved in bullying victimization and bullying victimization interventions through rigorous investigation methods (experience sampling methods, randomized controlled trial). We will increase the scalability of evidence-based interventions for bullying victims, through the development and testing an online tailored intervention for Romanian children and adolescents. The present project will bring substantial contributions to the existent research on bullying victimization and will have significant implications to the national approach tacking bullying as its results can be integrated into the national anti-bullying strategy and disseminated to Romanian schools.

A virtual clinic for parents of children with ADHD - an individually-tailored approach to reduce parental distress Call name: P 1 - SP 1.1 - Proiecte de cercetare Postdoctorală
PN-III-P1-1.1-PD-2019-1191 2020 - 2022

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO)

Project website: http://adhdcoach.granturi.ubbcluj.ro

Abstract:

Attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most prevalent mental disorders in children. This has a negative impact on children and parents. Behavioral interventions delivered to parents represent first-line treatments for children with ADHD according to clinical guidelines, but there are numerous barriers in terms of parents' access to evidence-validated treatments. Barriers involved low mental health literacy regarding ADHD symptoms and treatment, treatment costs, low number of specialists, but also parent-related factors (parents' mental problems, adherence to treatment and their involvement in the intervention). Internet individually-tailored interventions can overcome such barriers, facilitating parents' access to treatments. This project aims to investigate individual factors that hold parents as predictors of their distress and to develop and test the feasibility of an Internet individually-tailored intervention for parents of children with ADHD. Moreover, through this project, we aim to investigate the efficiency, the mechanisms of change and the cost analysis of an individually-tailored Internet intervention blended with face-to-face behavioral parent training. The present project will have important contributions regarding the access of Romanian parents to evidence-based interventions, in a cost-effective manner. Therefore, through the proposed project we aim to enhance the scalability of evidence-based mental health interventions for Romanian parents of children with ADHD, through a digital solution that can overcome barriers existent in mental health access at a national level. This project will also have important contributions to new directions of research on online personalized interventions for parents of children diagnosed with ADHD.

ParentKIT: efficacy of a transdiagnostic Internet intervention enhanced with a parental component for children with internalizing problems Call name:
GTC 31371/2020 2020 - 2021

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI ()

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI ()

Project website: http://parentkit.ro/auth

Abstract:

Testing the efficacy of an online REBT transdiagnostic intervention for internalizing problems in adolescents Call name: P 4 - Proiecte de Cercetare Exploratorie
PN-III-P4-ID-PCE-2016-0861 2017 - 2019

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO)

Project website: http://emad.granturi.ubbcluj.ro/

Abstract:

According to World Health Organization, mental health problems are the largest cause of the burden of disease among young people. Even though cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the first line of treatment recommended by clinical guidelines for most of the internalizing problems (anxious and depressive disorders) found in teenagers, major barriers in the dissemination of evidence-based treatment exist. The majority of evidence-based CBT protocols for mood and anxiety disorders in youth are diagnostic-specific and fail to offer data on the theoretical underpinnings of the disorder and/or of the treatments (i.e., theory/mechanisms of change). Therefore, to innovatively promote evidence-based treatments, we need to focus on transdiagnostic approaches by focusing on the theory and mechanisms of change underlying both disorders and the proposed treatments. In this context, our project aims to investigate a computerized, transdiagnostic online delivered Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) intervention for adolescents’ mood and anxiety disorders (REBTonAD). Furthermore, we also aim to investigate brain predictors (neural/brain biomarkers) of treatment response. Through investigating the biomarkers that reflect commonalities in the treatment of anxiety and mood disorders, we aim to guide treatment selection for anxious and mood disorders in adolescent populations and to develop a personalized treatment. More so, although Internet treatments seem to be promising, accessible cost-effective interventions for different patient groups, this project will add timely data on the cost-effectiveness of this computerized treatment for mood and anxiety disorders in adolescents. In addition to its scientific impact, we expect that transdiagnostic online REBTonAD will be a valuable tool for large-scale mental health efforts, considering its easy dissemination and personalized content.

Biopsy H-App: Randomized Clinical Trial of a mobile health app for symptom management for patients undergoing core needle breast biopsy Call name: Projects for Young Research Teams - RUTE -2014 call
PN-II-RU-TE-2014-4-0490 2015 - 2017

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO)

Project website: http://biohapp.com/

Abstract:

Breast cancer is one the most common cancers among Romanian women and the number one cause of cancer mortality. Since the majority of Romanian breast cancer patients go to the doctor only in the late phases of their cancer, almost all of them undergo Core Needle Biopsy (CNB). Although CNB is a reliable diagnostic tool, it is associated with severe levels of pain and anxiety. As pharmacological treatments for these side effects are not offered in outpatients settings where CNB is performed, the patients are left with no solutions for their suffering. Previous research showed that self-hypnotic relaxation is an effective nonpharmacologic intervention for managing CNB symptoms. However, despite evidence supporting the use of self-hypnosis relaxation, recent surveys reveal that it has failed to disseminate to CNB settings because of two barriers: (1) access difficulties, and (2) theoretical limitations of previous self-hypnosis relaxation research. Therefore, the overall goal of our research program is to test an accessible delivery format for self-hypnosis relaxation (an app) for CNB pain and anxiety while also investigating the theoretical mechanisms of the intervention. Aims: 1) To investigate the usability of the self-hypnosis app; 2) To investigate the clinical efficacy of a self-hypnosis relaxation app in reducing CNB patients’ pain and anxiety; 3) To test the hypothesized mediational and moderation variables. This project will advance both clinical practice and research.

Enhancing successful aging - a computer-based platform for cognitive training and rehabilitation - ActiveCORE Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA 2013 - call
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2013-4-1797 2014 - 2017

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO); MIRA REHAB SRL (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO)

Project website: http://www.activecore.ro

Abstract:

The current project aims to design and test an innovative software platform for cognitive training and rehabilitation in older individuals. Named ActiveCORE (Cognitive Optimization and Rehabilitation Enhancement), the project takes both a preventive and a corrective stance, by helping elders (1) to preserve their cognitive functions which naturally decline with aging and, at the same time, (2) trying to minimize the cognitive impairments caused by debilitating conditions frequently encountered in old age, like Alzheimer’s disease and stroke.

Since demographic data have indicated a strong tendency towards an aging population in later years, both at European level and in Romania, finding and implementing strategies for active aging has become a major priority. The project targets this direction by focusing on active aging from a psychological point of view, that of preserving and improving cognitive functions affected with age (e.g., attention, memory, reasoning ability). Since cognitive training and rehabilitation interventions target a large population, implementing effective, accessible, home-delivered techniques proves essential, since large-scale individual treatments are beyond reach, given the available resources of present-day societies. In this sense, computer-based interventions constitute a feasible solution, as they can be used at home, with relatively low costs.

Worldwide, there are currently several software platforms for cognitive training (e.g., IMPACT, Hermes, www.fp7-hermes.eu), showing promising results. However, most programs are either limited in scope, targeting only some specific cognitive functions (e.g., only prospective memory), or do not address both cognitive training and rehabilitation in an integrated fashion. Moreover, most gaming services delivered on the market are still not yet evidence-based, and/or they raise usability issues by not being specifically designed for the elderly. Last but not least, to our knowledge, there are no cognitive training and rehabilitation programs adapted for Romanian population.

Consequently, our project is focused on designing, implementing and testing a software platform for cognitive training and rehabilitation, using state of the art technology and grounding on scientific evidence. First, we will conduct an extensive literature analysis on (1) trainable cognitive functions, and (2) the effects of cognitive training programs on multiple outcomes such as specific cognitive functions, impact on daily activities and quality of life. These data would further constitute the input for the development of the platform. The software platform to be developed would be built on adaptive testing principles, targeting (a) the training of cognitive functions like attention, working memory, reasoning ability in the form of entertaining games for healthy elders, (b) rehabilitating cognitive abilities (e.g., tip of the tongue situations, prospective memory) in less functional elders, and (c) assisting elders in daily life activities (e.g., reminders, action plans). In addition, the platform would include a module for addressing emotional states, quality of life, and cognitive style (e.g., low frustration tolerance). The platform would rely on latest technologies, like the kinect system (human motion tracking), offering a friendly and ecological training environment. Once developed, the platform would be tested in terms of usability and acceptability, and also in terms of its effects on multiple level outcomes: cognitive functions, impact on daily activities, subjective well being and quality of life, and biological outcomes, via fMRI scanning. Implementing the project would therefore provide a well designed, competitive product for cognitive training and rehabilitation offering at the same time valuable scientific information.

Effectiveness of an empirically based web platform for anxiety in youths Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 1
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.1-1500 2012 - 2016

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE (U.M.F) Cluj-Napoca (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO)

Project website: http://idare.granturi.ubbcluj.ro

Abstract:

Anxiety disorders are estimated to affect up to 20% of children and adolescents (Costello, Egger & Angold, 2004), being among the most prevalent disorders in this age group. This rate is alarming, given that the prevalence of emotional disorders in children and adolescents is on the rise (Collishaw, Maughan, Natarajan & Pickles, 2010). Therefore, it is essential to develop and make accessible alternative evidence-based interventions, which are cost-effective and easier to disseminate, in a stepped-care approach. Computerized cognitive-behavioral (CBT) and cognitive bias modification (CBM) interventions delivered online have the potential of attending to these requirements (Andersson, 2009; Hallion & Ruscio, 2011). the main goal of the current project is to develop and test a new web platform (iDare) designed to integrate computer-based CBT and CBM interventions, in order to offer an easily accessible treatment of anxiety disorders in youth (age between 12 and 16 years). The development of iDare web platform will be conducted in accordance with the recent guidelines regarding the use of technology for mental health services (see Doherty, Coyle, & Mathews, 2010). Four objectives are subsumed to its development, each of them coming to solve a specific problem and build a solution: (1). To construct a complex theoretical framework for developing the web platform (iDare); (2) To develop a web platform for treating anxiety disorders in youths (iDare platform); (3). To test the preliminary version of the iDare web platform with respect to its usability; (4) To test the clinical utility of two types of treatment (a computer-based CBT protocol, respectively a computer-based CBT protocol supplemented with a CBM component) in decreasing anxious symptomatology in youths, both in terms of its effectiveness and mechanisms of change. The original, novelty and innovative nature of this project are seen at an applied (socio-economic level) and theoretical levels.

FILE DESCRIPTION	DOCUMENT
List of research grants as project coordinator or partner team leader
Significant R&D projects for enterprises, as project manager
R&D activities in enterprises
Peer-review activity for international programs/projects